Diagnosis of Candida vaginitis by detecting D-arabinitol in vaginal fluid

摘要

A method for the presumptive detection of Candida in vaginal fluid, thereby providing an aid to the diagnosis of Candida vaginosis. A sample of vaginal fluid is combined with a test composition comprising an indicator system that provides a chromogenic response in the presence of D-arabinitol; the detection of an elevated level of D-arabinitol indicating the presumptive presence of Candida. The test composition preferably comprises the enzyme D-arabinitol dehydrogenase, NAD, an electron transfer agent, and a chromogenic indicator.